Christmas tree

Call me Gram

With all the issues there are to deal with, this seems so very trivial. But, maybe someone here has some wisdom for me.

I used to LOVE putting up the Christmas tree. It was almost a "ceremony" for me, with holiday music playing and every single ornament being hung on the tree. Window swags, candles, a village of ceramic houses, angels of every type throughout the house, stocking hangers with fake snow, outdoor lights, multiple Rubbermaid boxes of decorations and ornaments… you get the idea. Now, I don't want to put up the tree, and there's no way any of those other things are going to happen.

However, our grandkids will be here for Christmas and I am looking for an easy tree to assemble. I can't have a live one, as the smell aggravates my sinuses. Our artificial one is huge, needs to be retrieved from our climb up attic, and comes in four pieces that annoy my DH (w/dementia) and me.

Can anyone suggest a tree that comes pre-lit, and maybe even pre-decorated, that is easy to assemble? Something that will simplify the process, but still provide a traditional lighted tree?

Last Dance

Most places like Home Depot, Menard's, Lowe's, Walmart sell small Christmas trees that either fold or are easy to put together. I bought mine From Walmart about 7 years ago it's pre lit and all the lights still works It comes in three sections It takes about 5 minutes to put it together. It's about 5 1/2 feet tall maybe two or three feet around. I bought it for reason you are looking for a new one I Paid $79 for it.

God's blessings to you.

Chris20cm

I found just what you are describing several years ago at a Goodwill store. At a very reasonable price and it's in two pieces: the base and the tree, and you just fold up the branches after the Christmas season, and toss it back up in the attic. It even has the lights on it.

Leesee

This year's viral Christmas decoration is the Pop-up Christmas Tree 😀 Might be exactly what you are looking for. Here is a YouTube video about how they work. There are different manufacturers and sizes available on Amazon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfQhq8wS0Vo

Call me Gram

Definitely a lot more options out there these days! Thank you all!!

Chammer

My mom who lives alone uses poinsettias for the holiday. She has some that she maintains through the year and buys more as needed from one of the local fundraisers that sell them. It is festive and much easier for her and lots less to store!

H1235

I have an easy three piece prelit tree. I don’t think it would be too hard to find what you are looking for. I thinks that’s just the way they are made these days. You might want to consider buying a few boxes of basic ornaments. I think in might be less emotional than going through all those special ornaments with so many stories and memories. It would also be easier to just open a few boxes and hang the ornament rather than going through and unwrap it all the single ornaments. I know so many of my ornaments go in their own special box, it’s time consuming.

Atacinelli

there is a tree that’s perlite and decorated you just lift it up. Not sure how pricy it is. I got a small perlite tree and bought balls from dollar store. I can’t do all the decorating at my age and my husband can’t help anymore. Hope this helps

persevere

Hey there, I finally let go of our old tradition last year and got this nice fiber optic 2 piece tree from Home Depot I think. 7’ tall, cheap, and beautiful. Colors change gently and everybody loves it because it’s different. And the best part is the fiber optics are too delicate to allow any ornaments so you couldn’t put them on even if you wanted to - lol. Put the tree up, pull out just your favorite decorations (not too many), spread some candy around for the kids and call it a day. You’ll be glad you did.

Biggles

For us Christmas was always a busy hubbub of twinkling lights, lovely cooking smells, carols and of course the Christmas tree. Traditions that we loved but now it’s not the same and so difficult. Yes we have the grandchildren coming over a trial in itself. I thought as simple as possible so this is what I have done. A string of solar lights that only come on outside when it’s dark so they don’t upset my DH. A pop up Christmas tree that lives in a flat pack and can be put up in 5 minutes (decorations are already attached) playing soft Christmas carols on and off for the week before the day to get my DH used to the tunes. Set up a Christmas table outside with very simple (but nice) finger food that my DH can manage etc etc and the most important is setting a time limit with our daughter and son-in-law for an early start and early finish allowing maybe 2 hours only. Fingers crossed hopefully the evening should work. Good luck.

jgreen

Hi @Call me Gram

DH and I visited with friends last Christmas who downsized and moved to a senior living facility. They had a lovely tabletop tree that fit into their living room perfectly. It was festive yet not a trip hazard. With something like that you can tuck the presents for grandchildren under the table.

I hope you are able to do some of your traditional decorating - even if scaled back. I am finding it therapeutic to put a few things out each day. DH hasn’t even noticed what I’ve done yet! We’ll see when I set up the tree next week.

Quilting brings calm

We bought a five foot pre-lit tree from Menards. It’s two pieces plus the included stand. I also saw two foot trees there.

Call me Gram

Well, we ended up putting up our old artificial tree. DH helped me get it out of the attic. It was a task putting the pieces together just right, finding the cords and connecting them so that all the parts lit up.

However, I enjoyed the peacefulness of decorating the tree. It was cathartic. I poured myself a glass of wine, put on traditional Christmas music, and reminisced over ornaments from decades gone by.

I might just throw the old tree away when the season is over - I don't know yet. But for now, I'm glad I rallied and put it up.

Thank you for all your great advice! Maybe I'll find a good deal for next year in a clearance sale after the holidays.

annie51

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/261182#Comment_261182

I’m so glad you were able to enjoy this tradition for another Christmas. Our ornaments bring back memories for me also and each one has a story, so I understand the reminiscing (and the wine, too 🙂)

I bought a smaller tree a couple of years ago for the same reason as you - old one was too large, too difficult to manage, etc. We donated ours to a charity thrift store - they even came and picked it up so you might think about that instead of throwing it away.

It’s funny though…after the first Christmas with the small tree, I started taking the ornaments off and DH got upset. He didn’t want me to take it down. So it stayed up for 2 years! I decorated it for different holidays through the year. This year he is in MC so I think I’ll be able to take it down after New Years and store it till next year. I may have to dust it off first though! 😁

A blessed Christmas to you!

Call me Gram

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/261186#Comment_261186

Thank you for this message… it made me smile. Also, that is a good idea to donate the tree. I will reach out to one of our local charity thrift shops in January.

A blessed Christmas to you, as well!

Biggles

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/261182#Comment_261182

The tree looks lovely Gram well done I wish you peace for Christmas.

Call me Gram

Awe, thank you, Biggles! I'm lifting my cup of coffee to you right now.

Cheers… wishing you moments of joy this Christmas… to all of you!

jgreen

So glad you got the tree up with hubby’s help. It is lovely!

May God bless you and yours this Christmas.

Hugs 💝

Call me Gram

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/261218#Comment_261218

💖 Thank you!! 💖